Dancer dies days after falling over cabaret balcony

CLEVELAND -- A 22-year-old exotic dancer has died one week after she was injured in a fall from a second-floor balcony while performing at a club in Cleveland.

MetroHealth Medical Center confirmed the death of Lauren Block of Richmond Heights on Wednesday.

The hospital relayed a family statement expressing appreciation for the community's support and prayers and efforts to save her life.

"We would like to thank the community for their outpouring of support and prayers for Lauren. She has passed away but is an organ donor, and we hope this will enable her to save many lives and live on through others. We would like to express our gratitude to the staff at MetroHealth. They worked tirelessly to do all they could to save her life. We ask that the media respect our privacy during this difficult time. We know that she's in God's hands."

A witness told police the woman was dancing for him early on Jan. 2 when she tried to perform a move or jump and fell over the rail head first at Christie's Cabaret near downtown.